Media Links Only Please, No Discussion [Archive] - Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community

PrayersForMaura

05-24-2005, 10:25 PM

News Stories

Police Investigate Homicide, April 27, 2005:
http://rdu.news14.com/content/headl...D=68217&SecID=2

*Slain Durham Woman Leaves 6-Month-Old Child Behind, April 27, 2005:
http://www.nbc17.com/news/4421425/detail.html (http://www.nbc17.com/news/4421425/detail.html)

Woman's Body Found in Home, April 28, 2005:
http://newsobserver.com/news/story/...p-8731092c.html (http://newsobserver.com/news/story/2353536p-8731092c.html)

Few Clues in Murder of Durham Mother, April 28, 2005:
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/news/042805_NW_abaroa.html

Durham Police Tightlipped About Woman's Murder, April 29, 2005:
http://www.wral.com/news/4431154/detail.html

*Woman's family mourns, April 29, 2005
Inquiry continues in Durham slaying
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/durham/story/2356802p-8734464c.html

New Details in Death of Durham, May 2, 2005:
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/news/05...estigation.html (http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/news/050205_NW_abaroainvestigation.html)

Police: Young Mother's Slaying Not Random, May 2, 2005:
http://www.nbc17.com/news/4438913/detail.html

Police Say Woman Died from Being Stabbed, May 2, 2005:
http://rdu.news14.com/content/headl...D=68483&SecID=2 (http://rdu.news14.com/content/headlines/?ArID=68483&SecID=2)

Police Say Woman Was Stabbed to Death, May 3, 2005:
http://rdu.news14.com/content/headl...D=68495&SecID=2 (http://rdu.news14.com/content/headlines/?ArID=68495&SecID=2)

Search Warrant Reveals Details In Stabbing Of Durham Woman, May 3, 2005:
http://www.wral.com/news/4443707/detail.html

Officers Took Knives, Scissors for Murdered Woman's Home, May 3, 2005
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/news/05...oawarrants.html

*Police ask to examine vehicle again, May 3, 2005:
http://newsobserver.com/news/story/2368828p-8746832c.html (http://newsobserver.com/news/story/2368828p-8746832c.html)

Affidavit made public in Durham woman's murder, May 4, 2005
http://rdu.news14.com/content/headl...D=68563&SecID=2 (http://rdu.news14.com/content/headlines/?ArID=68563&SecID=2)

Police Notes - Annandale woman found murdered in her N.C. home, May 5, 2005:
http://www.timescommunity.com/site/...id=511688&rfi=6 (http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab5.cfm?newsid=14470746&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=511688&rfi=6)

Funeral, Fund Set in Stabbing Death, May 5, 2005:
http://newsobserver.com/news/story/...p-8752598c.html (http://newsobserver.com/news/story/2374592p-8752598c.html)

Funeral Arrangements Made for Young Durham Mother, May 5, 2005:
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/news/05...roafuneral.html (http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/news/050505_NW_abaroafuneral.html)

Funeral Scheduled for Murdered Durham Woman, May 6, 2005:
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/news/05...roafuneral.html

Note: * stories were added later tonight when the links were found

golfmom

05-24-2005, 11:14 PM

http://www.southernvirginia.edu/News/full_release/2005_apr28.html
Janet Christiansen Abaroa, SVU Class '00

Buena Vista, VA, Apr 26, 2005

President Smith regrets to inform the SVU family of the death of Janet Christiansen Abaroa, SVU Class of '00. Janet Christiansen Abaroa, 25, died on April 26, 2005. Her body was found in her home in Durham, NC.

Janet Christiansen Abaroa attended Southern Virginia University as a freshman in August 1998. As a freshmen Mid-Fielder, from Annandale, VA, Janet was a pioneer who helped make history at SVU as a member of the inaugural women's soccer team. She helped lead her team to back-to-back National Small College Athletic Association (NSCAA) Championship victories in 1998 and 1999. Her sister and teammate Erika Christiansen was also a member of the 1999 championship team and SVU Class of '03. Janet graduated with her Associates Degree in Social Sciences in Dec. 2000.

Janet was a Scholar Athlete. After taking a year off to be with her husband, Raven Abaroa, she returned to SVU in August 2001 to complete her last two years. As an upperclassmen, Janet received post-season honors as a United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Academic All-American (cumulative 3.5 GPA or higher) in 2001 & 2002. She was a member of the President's Honor Roll (4.0 GPA), USCAA Player of the Week (Oct. 1-7, 2001) and a member of the USCAA All-Tournament Team in 2002. Janet experienced great athletic accomplishment, academic success and spiritual development during her 4 years at SVU.

..................
A scholarship will be established in Janet's memory to benefit a student-athlete on the women's soccer team. Gifts made to the SVU Development Office in Janet's memory will be used to establish the Janet Christiansen Abaroa Pioneer Scholarship. To contribute to this scholarship, checks should be made out to Southern Virginia University, with a notation that the gift is in memory of Janet Christiansen Abaroa. On-line donations can also be made through the Development Office Website. When donating on-line, check the box listed as "Other" and write Janet Christiansen Abaroa Pioneer Scholarship in the text box. Checks should be sent to:

SVU Development Office
One University Hill Drive
Buena Vista, VA 24416

tiffany

05-31-2005, 03:30 PM

Here are pics from Janets SVU's 2003 graduation:

http://svu2.southernvirginia.edu/2003%20graduation/IMG_5571.JPG

http://svu2.southernvirginia.edu/2003%20graduation/IMG_5768.JPG

golfmom

06-04-2005, 07:39 AM

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/news/060305_NW_abaroacouple.html

New Video Surfaces of Abaroas

Janet and Raven Abaroa spoke in a 2003 Christmas video.
By Erin O'Hearn
(06/03/05 -- DURHAM) — Durham police are not saying much about the brutal murder of Janet Abaroa,

...............
The 25-year-old mother was found stabbed to death inside her Ferrand Drive home on April 26. Investigators have not revealed any suspects. They say it was not a random crime and the public is not in any danger.

Eyewitness News has new video of the Abaroas, giving us a glimpse into their life before Janet Abaroa was murdered. In a 2003 Christmas video card on the Internet, we see Janet and her husband, Raven, goofing off. A seemingly bashful Janet twirls for the camera, showing off new clothes, then Raven jokes about being in the South.

"I got myself a buck knife, too. In case you ever come across a deer and you want to take some of it home," he said. "That's my new knife. I got it for Christmas. I bought it myself. My dad would be very proud of me."

Police have searched Raven Abaroa's SUV and the couple's home. He has moved out of the house. The couple's 6-month-old son, Kaiden, is staying with his father and other relatives.

JerseyGirl

06-04-2005, 11:28 AM

http://www.officer.com/news/IBS/wral/news-2689205.html (http://www.officer.com/news/IBS/wral/news-2689205.html)

... Neighbors say Abaroa and her husband, Raven, had recently moved into the neighborhood and they knew little about them. They described the couple, which recently had a baby, as quiet ...

lauriej

06-16-2005, 03:16 PM

re: embezzlement hearing june 10/2005..
http://www.herald-sun.com/archives/search.html

Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC)

June 11, 2005
Section: Durham
Edition: Final
Page: E2

Victim's husband to get hearing
Spouse is accused of embezzlement
From staff reports </I></FONT>

While Durham police detectives continue to investigate the April murder of Janet Abaroa, attorneys met Friday to discuss fraud charges her husband is facing in Orange County. Orange County Assistant District Attorney Jacqueline Perez said she met with Julian Mack to discuss details of five counts of embezzlement his client, Raven Abaroa, is facing.

The pair set a hearing for July 22, Perez said.

"Hopefully, by that day I will know whether I will indict him or if we will do some kind of plea," she said. "But there is no offer on the table right now."

JerseyGirl

06-28-2005, 11:55 AM

WTVD Video Player (http://ww2.abc11tv.com/global/video/popup/pop_player.asp?ClipID1=439696&h1=VIDEO:%20New%20Video%20Surfaces%20of%20Abaroas&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=118100&activePane=info&playerVersion=1&rnd=50714986) from article at Eyewitness News 11.com: New Video Surfaces of Abaroas (http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/news/060305_NW_abaroacouple.html)

From the video: "police insist this was not a random act and the public isn't in any danger."

SouthEastSleuth

07-06-2005, 10:16 PM

New Television News Report
Ok, here's a television report from this morning, July 6, on the local 24 hour news channel, News14 Carolina. There is a video on the page as well (these usually don't last too long on these links).

The key statement from the police spokeswoman:

"What our investigation has shown so far is that we don't believe this was a random act of violence but at this time no charges have been filed and any information would be helpful,” said Kammie Michaels of the Durham Police Department."

http://rdu.news14.com/content/your_...D=42&ArID=71722 (http://rdu.news14.com/content/your_news/durhamchapel_hill/?SecID=42&ArID=71722)

SouthEastSleuth

07-06-2005, 10:18 PM

Copying Juliagoulia's post here as well:

New Media Story
The News Gazette, a paper for the Lexington, Buena Vista and Southern Virginia University communities, published a story today:

http://www.thenews-gazette.com/arti...news/local2.txt (http://www.thenews-gazette.com/articles/2005/07/06/news/local2.txt)

A quote from the article:
"Michaels reported a resurgence of media attention on the murder after two months had passed and was scheduled to appear on two televised broadcasts on July 5."

Every story could help--you never know what other sources could pick it up.

Please keep seeking media help and JFJ!

golfmom

07-22-2005, 08:56 PM

http://www.wral.com/news/4760082/detail.html?rss=ral&psp=news

Prosecutors Offer Deal On Embezzlement Charges To Husband Of Slain Durham Mother

POSTED: 7:16 pm EDT July 22, 2005
UPDATED: 7:29 pm EDT July 22, 2005

DURHAM, N.C. -- Prosecutors offered the husband of a homicide victim a plea deal on embezzlement charges.

Raven Abaroa is accused of taking thousands of dollars from the business where he and his wife worked. Officials have not said if Abaroa wants the deal.

golfmom

07-23-2005, 07:43 AM

http://www.herald-sun.com/durham/4-629294.html

Plea offered in embezzlement case

BY ERIC OLSON : The Herald-Sun
eolson@heraldsun.com
Jul 22, 2005 : 9:56 pm ET

The Orange County District Attorney's Office has offered a plea agreement in the embezzlement charges facing Raven Abaroa, whose wife was murdered in Durham in April.

Should Abaroa accept, the deal would place him on probation and force him to make some $9,000 of restitution to his former employer, Assistant District Attorney Jacqueline Perez said.

"That's just what we talked about," Perez said. "Mr. Abaroa hasn't agreed to anything yet."

Perez said she should know by Aug. 23 whether or not Abaroa would agree to the deal. Otherwise, she would indict Abaroa on five counts of embezzlement and put the case before the Sept. 21 grand jury session, she said.

"Since I don't know if he's going to plead or not, I can't say what's going to happen," she said. "And if he does, it's going to be probation and restitution."
...........

PrayersForMaura

08-17-2005, 06:21 AM

Police search for murder clues in e-mail (http://www.herald-sun.com/durham/4-637174.html)
Durham Herald Sun - Durham,NC,USA
DURHAM -- Durham police seized information from the e-mail accounts of Janet Abaroa and her husband searching for clues in Abaroa's April stabbing death inside ...

http://www.herald-sun.com/durham/4-637174.html

rememberjanet

08-17-2005, 03:36 PM

Police Search E-Mail For Clues Into Abaroa's Death

POSTED: 12:14 pm EDT August 17, 2005

DURHAM, N.C. -- E-mail messages are the latest focus in a Durham murder investigation.

Janet Abaroa was found stabbed to death in the bedroom of her home in April. Her 6-month-old son, Kaiden, was also at home but not hurt.

Abaroa's husband, Raven, called 911 saying his wife had been shot.

Now, investigators are sifting through the couple's e-mail accounts to see if there is anything that can lead them to an arrest.

Police have not named any suspects, but say the murder was not random.

http://www.wral.com/news/4863076/detail.html

SouthEastSleuth

08-17-2005, 09:49 PM

FYI -

I just watched the local ABC news, WTVD - and they also did a story about the email warrant, etc. They showed old footage from the crime scene, etc. The interesting thing they reported was that the warrant specifically was for GOOGLE accounts ("for both Abaroas"). Guess this makes some sense, as we know Raven at one point at least was using a gmail account.

I'll post a link to the story once they post it online. (Or someone else post if you come across it first).

Ok, here's the link to the story:

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?s...ngle&id=3358729 (http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=triangle&id=3358729)

golfmom

08-18-2005, 10:26 AM

http://rdu.news14.com/content/top%5Fstories/default.asp?ArID=73447

JerseyGirl

08-18-2005, 01:47 PM

WRAL.com - News - Autopsy: Durham Mother Found Dead In Home Was Pregnant (http://www.wral.com/news/4867522/detail.html)

... according to an autopsy just released.

rememberjanet

08-18-2005, 08:58 PM

Slain woman was due for baby
Autopsy in killing reveals pregnancy

By SAMIHA KHANNA, Staff Writer

DURHAM -- Janet Abaroa was pregnant when she was stabbed to death in her West Durham home, an autopsy report shows.... (more)

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/durham/story/2731634p-9168974c.html

Jenifred

08-19-2005, 07:23 AM

Autopsy Reveals Twist in Abaroa's Death

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=triangle&id=3361221

Same story, different outlet.

JerseyGirl

08-19-2005, 10:15 AM

abc11tv.com: Autopsy Reveals Twist in Abaroa's Death (http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=triangle&id=3361221#)

On the right side of the page, under Related Links - click VIDEO: Autopsy Reveals Twist in Abaroa's Death (http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=triangle&id=3361221#)

JerseyGirl

08-20-2005, 11:27 PM

Here's a link to a news video about the e-mails that LE is looking into.

Durham Murder Probe Turns To E-Mail Messages (http://www.wral.com/video/4868507/detail.html)

(from this page: WRAL.com - News - Autopsy: Durham Mother Found Dead In Home Was Pregnant (http://www.wral.com/news/4867522/detail.html) )

JerseyGirl

08-20-2005, 11:35 PM

Nothing new here but good views of the neighborhood, (including three people walking away from the crime scene with a young child on a bicycle). :waitasec:

abc11tv.com: Police Search Computer Records in Murder Probe (http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=triangle&id=3358729#)

When you get to this page, click this headline under the photo of Janet on the right side of the page:

VIDEO: Police Search Computer Records in Murder Probe (http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=triangle&id=3358729#)

Moxie

08-22-2005, 04:44 PM

Related To Story
http://images.ibsys.com/ral-structure/images/structures/buttons/button_enlarge.gif
http://images.ibsys.com/2005/0822/4880769_240X180.jpg
(http://www.wral.com/news/4880662/detail.html#)Raven Abaroa

Slain Durham Woman's Husband To Plead Guilty To Embezzlement Charges

POSTED: 11:58 am EDT August 22, 2005

DURHAM, N.C. -- The husband of a Durham woman who was found dead in her home will plead guilty to embezzlement charges, authorities say.

In February, Raven Abaroa was charged with embezzling thousands of dollars from his former employer, Eurosport, where he and his wife worked. Under the plea deal, Abaroa would be on probation and must pay restitution.

In April, Durham police found his wife, 25-year-old Janet Abaroa, stabbed to death in their home. The couple's 6-month-old son, Kaiden, was also in the home, but was not hurt. Police have not made an arrest in the case.

Previous Stories:

August 18, 2005: Autopsy: Durham Mother Found Dead In Home Was Pregnant (http://www.wral.com/news/4867522/detail.html)
August 17, 2005: Police Search E-Mail For Clues Into Abaroa's Death (http://www.wral.com/news/4863076/detail.html)
July 22, 2005: Prosecutors Offer Deal On Embezzlement Charges To Husband Of Slain Durham Mother (http://www.wral.com/news/4760082/detail.html)
May 24, 2005: Family Remembers Slain Durham Woman As Quiet, Graceful (http://www.wral.com/video/4527260/detail.html)
May 3, 2005: Search Warrant Reveals Details In Stabbing Of Durham Woman (http://www.wral.com/news/4443707/detail.html)
May 2, 2005: Police: Durham Mother Stabbed To Death (http://www.wral.com/news/4438990/detail.html)
April 29, 2005: Durham Police Tightlipped About Woman's Murder (http://www.wral.com/news/4431154/detail.html)
April 27, 2005: Police Investigating Possible Homicide In Durham (http://www.wral.com/news/4420205/detail.html)

Moxie

08-23-2005, 09:25 PM

http://images.ibsys.com/ral-structure/images/structures/buttons/button_enlarge.gif
http://images.ibsys.com/2005/0823/4887837_240X180.jpg
(http://www.wral.com/news/4880662/detail.html#)Raven Abaroa, who is now living in Utah, pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges that he embezzled money from his former employer.

Slain Durham Woman's Husband Pleads Guilty To Embezzlement Charges

POSTED: 11:58 am EDT August 22, 2005

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. -- The husband of a Durham woman who was found dead in her home returned to the Triangle Tuesday to plead guilty to embezzlement charges.

In February, Raven Abaroa was charged with embezzling thousands of dollars from his former employer, Eurosport, where he and his wife worked.

Abaroa admits he stole thousands of dollars in merchandise from Eurosport in Chapel Hill. He told a judge that he used the money to pay off bills. He accepted a deal with Orange County prosecutors in which he will serve two years and pay back close to $10,000.

In April, Durham police found his wife, Janet Abaroa, stabbed to death in their home. An autopsy report released last week revealed that the 25-year-old was pregnant at the time of her death.

http://images.ibsys.com/ral-structure/images/structures/buttons/button_enlarge.gif
http://images.ibsys.com/2005/0524/4527265_240X180.jpg
(http://www.wral.com/news/4880662/detail.html#)Janet Abaroa was found dead in her home April 26.

The couple's 6-month-old son, Kaiden, was also in the home, but was not hurt. Abaroa is now raising Kaiden in Utah with the help of his family.

"He's doing pretty good," Abaroa told WRAL. "He's growing, he looks great."

Abaroa would not talk about his wife's death or the investigation, but said he is determined to get through it.

"I think faith has a lot to do with it," he said.

Abaroa's attorney said they were eager for an arrest.

Investigators say they do not believe the murder was random. Last week, Durham investigators obtained a search warrant to gain access to the couple's e-mail accounts. They hope that they may find some information to lead them to an arrest.

Previous Stories:

August 18, 2005: Autopsy: Durham Mother Found Dead In Home Was Pregnant (http://www.wral.com/news/4867522/detail.html)
August 17, 2005: Police Search E-Mail For Clues Into Abaroa's Death (http://www.wral.com/news/4863076/detail.html)
July 22, 2005: Prosecutors Offer Deal On Embezzlement Charges To Husband Of Slain Durham Mother (http://www.wral.com/news/4760082/detail.html)
May 24, 2005: Family Remembers Slain Durham Woman As Quiet, Graceful (http://www.wral.com/video/4527260/detail.html)
May 3, 2005: Search Warrant Reveals Details In Stabbing Of Durham Woman (http://www.wral.com/news/4443707/detail.html)
May 2, 2005: Police: Durham Mother Stabbed To Death (http://www.wral.com/news/4438990/detail.html)
April 29, 2005: Durham Police Tightlipped About Woman's Murder (http://www.wral.com/news/4431154/detail.html)
April 27, 2005: Police Investigating Possible Homicide In Durham (http://www.wral.com/news/4420205/detail.html)

Reporter: Julia Lewis (jlewis@wral.com)
Photographer: Don Ingle (dingle@wral.com)
Web Editor: Kelly Gardner (kgardner@wral.com) Copyright 2005 by

golfmom

08-24-2005, 08:01 AM

http://www.herald-sun.com/orange/10-639249.html

Man whose wife slain pleads to embezzlement

By BETH VELLIQUETTE : The Herald-Sun
bvelliquette@heraldsun.com
Aug 23, 2005 : 9:04 pm ET

HILLSBOROUGH -- Raven Abaroa, whose young wife was found stabbed to death in the Durham home she shared with her husband and baby on April 26, pleaded guilty Tuesday to five counts of embezzlement in Orange County Criminal Superior Court.

Abaroa, 25, came from Utah, where he now lives, for the short hearing in front of Superior Court Judge Wade Barber.

Barber approved a plea agreement in the case and put Abaroa on supervised probation for two years, and then agreed to have his probation transferred to Utah. In accordance with the plea agreement, Barber sentenced him to five to six months in prison but then suspended the sentence. He also ordered Abaroa to pay $9,600 to Sports Endeavors Inc. in restitution.

Abaroa was working for Sports Endeavors Inc., which owns Eurosport, a mail-order catalog company for sports equipment located in Hillsborough, when he placed orders for shoes and had them delivered to his home but did not pay for them, according to Assistant District Attorney Jacqueline Perez.

Abaroa would order 25 to 30 pairs of shoes at a time and then resell them, Perez said. The thefts occurred last year when Abaroa worked for the company.

Once he became a suspect, he cooperated with police and allowed them to search his computer and home for evidence needed for prosecution, Perez said.

The shoes were valued at approximately $100 a pair, said Abaroa's attorney, Julian Mack. Mack told the judge that he has another 28 pairs of shoes that he will return to the Hillsborough Police Department in the next day or two as part of the restitution.

Mack told Barber that Abaroa lives with his 10-month-old son in Utah with his family, who are providing help and support for them.

Barber, unaware that Abaroa's wife was murdered in April and that the case is unsolved, questioned Abaroa about where he worked and why he had moved to Utah. Mack interrupted and told Barber that Abaroa's wife Janet had been murdered and that Abaroa returned to Utah to raise his son and be with his family.

Later, Barber asked Abaroa if there was a reason he stole the athletic shoes.

"No," Abaroa replied.

"What did you do with the money?" Barber asked.

"I repaired cars, paid bills," Abaroa said.

.................

Moxie

08-24-2005, 12:04 PM

http://www.newsobserver.com/images/spacer.gif
http://www.newsobserver.com/images/spacer.gif
Published: Aug 24, 2005
Modified: Aug 24, 2005 3:00 AM
Guilty plea offered in embezzlement
Husband of slain woman is ordered to pay $9,600 to former employer

By JESSICA ROCHA, Staff Writer

HILLSBOROUGH -- A man whose pregnant wife was stabbed to death in the family's Durham home in April pleaded guilty Tuesday to embezzling more than $9,000 from his former employer.

Raven Abaroa, 25, pleaded guilty to five counts of felony embezzlement from Sports Endeavors, identified on its Web site as a soccer and lacrosse company in Hillsborough.

Durham police have not made any arrests or named any suspects in the death of his wife, Janet Abaroa, who was found in her bedroom April 26 after her husband called 911.

Between July and December 2004, Abaroa and a partner ordered dozens of pairs of shoes but had them delivered to his address instead of the store. From there he would sell them, pocketing the cash. The store never received the merchandise or money for it, said Jacqueline Perez, an Orange County assistant district attorney.

In court, Abaroa said he used the cash from the shoe sales for car repairs and paying bills.

Abaroa was ordered to pay $9,600 in restitution and placed on supervised probation for 24 months. If he violates probation, he could spend up to six months in prison.

His probation will be transferred to Utah. That is where Abaroa and his 10-month-old son are living to be closer to Abaroa's family, he told Orange-Chatham Superior Court Judge Wade Barber. Abaroa said he is working as a salesman for a mobile phone contractor.

Staff writer Jessica Rocha can be reached at 932-2008 or jrocha@newsobserver.com. (jrocha@newsobserver.com)

juliagoulia

08-29-2005, 02:17 AM

http://www.herald-sun.com/durham/4-640784.html

By Paul Bonner : The Herald-Sun
pbonner@heraldsun.com (pbonner@heraldsun.com)
Aug 28, 2005 : 8:35 pm ET

DURHAM -- Woman pregnant when she was killed

Autopsy says stab wound to right side of her neck likely cause of death

Woman pregnant when she was killed

pbonner@heraldsun.com; 419-6621

Janet Abaroa was pregnant when she was stabbed to death in April at the Durham home she shared with her husband and infant son, an autopsy has determined.

A stab wound to the right side of her neck likely caused her death, although a second one to her chest also was potentially lethal, concluded the autopsy, performed April 28 at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Chapel Hill. The autopsy also noted a stab wound to a right-hand finger.

A blood test discovered that she was in an early stage of pregnancy.

The body of Abaroa, 25, was found in a bedroom of her home on Ferrand Drive off Sparger Road on April 26. Her husband, Raven Abaroa, told police he returned home about 11 p.m. and found her slain. Their son, Kaiden, then 6 months old, was in the house but unharmed.

Police say they're continuing to investigate Abaroa's death, and no one has been charged.

Raven Abaroa pleaded guilty last week in Orange County to embezzlement charges filed nearly three months before his wife's death. He received a suspended sentence and probation for five counts of stealing athletic shoes from his employer at the time, Hillsborough-based soccer outfitter Sports Endeavors Inc.

He and Kaiden now live in Utah with his family. Police have divulged little about the case but have said they don't believe the killing was random.

JusticeMag

12-14-2005, 07:22 PM

http://www.justicemag.com/community/forums/3/1935.html

Can you help?

PrayersForMaura

01-05-2006, 10:41 AM

Police in the Triangle investigated a number of bewildering murder cases in 2005.

...In Durham, murders reached a five-year high in 2005. Thirty-eight people were shot, beaten, strangled or stabbed to death within the city limits.

...Twice this year, mourners buried pregnant women. Jarvlin Lassiter's killer must have noticed her third-trimester belly when he shot her. Janet Abaroa was only weeks along with her second child when she was stabbed to death.

STORY: http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/384135.html

JerseyGirl

01-24-2006, 02:18 PM

The Durham News | Around Town (http://www.thedurhamnews.com/local/story/2867333p-9324439c.html)

Mapping the Violence
Homicides in 2005

By SAMIHA KHANNA, Staff Writer

Here is a list of the homicides in Durham in 2005. Numbers correspond with the map above...

12. APRIL 26: Janet M. Abaroa, 25, stabbed to death in her home at 2606 Ferrand Drive. She was pregnant. No arrests...

NCBanker

01-25-2006, 12:12 AM

Just saw on the news that a non-profit organization has put together a $5000 tipster reward on Janet's case. They showed a picture of her, the crime scene, and then flashed a picture of Raven and the baby. They repeated that law enforcement doesn't believe the case is random. So is law enforcement just waiting for Raven to step forward and admit that he did it before they have enough evidence to charge him??!!?? This nonsense has gone on long enough!

Moxie

01-25-2006, 08:26 AM

Published: Jan 25, 2006 12:30 AM
Modified: Jan 25, 2006 02:53 AM

$5,000 reward offered in slaying
Story Tools http://www.newsobserver.com/images/icons/story/icon_print.gif Printer Friendly (http://www.newsobserver.com/102/v-print/story/392400.html) http://www.newsobserver.com/images/icons/story/icon_email_friend.gif Email to a Friend (http://www.newsobserver.com/102/v-email/story/392400.html) http://www.newsobserver.com/images/icons/story/icon_increasefont.gif Enlarge Font (javascript:;) http://www.newsobserver.com/images/icons/story/icon_decreasefont.gif Decrease Font (javascript:;) More Local & State http://www.newsobserver.com/images/blkpx.gifhttp://www.newsobserver.com/images/spacer.gifKids lose slithery pals (http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/392404.html)http://www.newsobserver.com/images/blkpx.gifhttp://www.newsobserver.com/images/spacer.gifSchool fraud indictment list grows (http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/392414.html)http://www.newsobserver.com/images/blkpx.gifhttp://www.newsobserver.com/images/spacer.gifAudit criticizes museum pay (http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/392399.html)http://www.newsobserver.com/images/blkpx.gifhttp://www.newsobserver.com/images/spacer.gif$5,000 reward offered in slaying (http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/392400.html)http://www.newsobserver.com/images/blkpx.gifhttp://www.newsobserver.com/images/spacer.gifMore minority firefighters sought (http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/392394.html)http://www.newsobserver.com/images/blkpx.gifhttp://www.newsobserver.com/images/spacer.gifHearing on Durham Tech draws no foes (http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/392396.html)http://www.newsobserver.com/images/blkpx.gifhttp://www.newsobserver.com/images/spacer.gifIs Raleigh just building blocks? (http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/392426.html)http://www.newsobserver.com/images/blkpx.gifhttp://www.newsobserver.com/images/spacer.gifGrand jury clears Raleigh officer (http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/392420.html)
Samiha Khanna, Staff Writer
For nine months, family and friends have been waiting desperately for an arrest in the killing of Janet Abaroa, a young mother stabbed in her home.

On Tuesday, Durham police released more details about her last day alive and announced a $5,000 reward in the unsolved case.

In his first interview about the killing, the victim's husband said Tuesday that he hoped a reward, if not someone's conscience, would bring clues forward.

"Someone knows something," Raven Abaroa said in a telephone interview. "I don't know what it's going to take."

Janet Abaroa, 25, was found dead by her husband the night of April 26 inside her home at 2606 Ferrand Drive. Her 6-month-old son, Kaiden, was in the next room, uninjured, police said. At the time, police said there were no signs of forced entry and the crime was "not random," but they have not named any suspects.

On Tuesday, police said a laptop computer was missing from the home. They also said that on her last day, Abaroa went to pick up her son from day care, then she and her husband dropped off her car for repairs, according to a Durham police news release.

That evening, the couple hosted a friend from church at their home. About 8:30 p.m., Raven Abaroa went to Morrisville for a soccer game, the release said. About 11 p.m., he returned and found his wife dead, kneeling on the floor of a bedroom, according a medical examiner's report.

An autopsy report later showed that Abaroa was in the early stages of pregnancy when she was killed.

Little information has been released by authorities, but the case is still active, said Dena Kendall, 38, the victim's older sister.

"Our family has been in constant contact with the police," Kendall said Tuesday. Waiting for developments from police is frustrating, she said, "but we have to let them do their job."

Meanwhile, Raven Abaroa, 26, has moved to Utah with Kaiden. He left Durham shortly after his wife's death, he said, because there was no reason to stay.

"The only thing I had there was my family, and my family was taken from me," he said.

Months went by and Kaiden, now 1, took his first steps. He learned to kick a soccer ball, something that would have made his soccer-star mom proud, Raven Abaroa said.

"He knows who his mom is," he said. "He sees pictures of her and says, 'Ma,' " he added, sobbing.

Raven and Janet Abaroa were private people, and now strangers speculate on the details of their lives and the killing on Web sites, he said. He recognizes that even strangers want to see justice for his wife, but he also worries that people personify Janet as weak, as being helplessly victimized. They should remember her as the strong woman she was, he said.

"She [was] the epitome of what a woman should be," he said.

For the next six months, the Carole Sund/Carrington Memorial Reward Foundation, based in Modesto, Calif., will pay $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the killing.

Carole Carrington, 72, started the foundation in 1999, when her own daughter, granddaughter and family friend were murdered on a trip to Yosemite National Park.

It was publicity of the reward that broke open that case and put a serial killer behind bars, Carrington said. Now, it is how she helps other families.

"When you've got a tragedy in your life, helping other people helps you, too," Carrington said in a telephone interview. Since 1999, the nonprofit foundation has offered more than $2.5 million in 364 cases, including the killing of congressional intern Chandra Levy. Durham CrimeStoppers also is offering up to $1,200 for information. Anyone with information is asked to call Investigator S.W. Vaughan at 560-4440, ext. 247, or CrimeStoppers at 683-1200.

Staff writer Samiha Khanna can be reached at 956-2468 or skhanna@newsobserver.com. (skhanna@newsobserver.com)

Pinkhammer

02-26-2006, 01:58 AM

The husband is no longer a suspect? How can he go back to Utah when there are outstanding charges against him of embezzlement?

terminatrixator

02-26-2006, 09:38 AM

Hi Pinkhammer.

I will do my best to explain this, but I tend to get wordy.

No Person of Interest has been "publicly" named at this time. This just means that Law Enforcement has not come out to say who they 'believe' committed the crime. I still am of the believe that Raven Abaroa is the one and only POI or Suspect.

The Embezzlement case is basically over. Raven has been sentenced to probation, ordered to pay back the money (which I doubt will happen) and there was a few other conditions. He was allowed to leave NC to go to the Utah, because until he he is arrested he is free to do what he wants.

I think he has not been arrested or named a POI yet, because they are still gathering as much as they can against thim. The problem with many circumstantial cases is if they hurry, name a POI and arrest and go to trial on circumstantial evidence, there is a rule called "double jeopardy."

If there is not quite enough evidence to get a conviction the first time, and let's say 5 years down the road, he confesses to the crime and they find more evidence against him, there is really nothing that can be done. It's been tried and it cannot be tried again.

The State has ONE shot to get a conviction, and they need to have their "ducks in a row" their I's and T's dotted and crossed as there is only one shot to get a conviction.

juliagoulia

04-26-2006, 03:19 AM

http://www.herald-sun.com/durham/4-728391.html

Family awaits answers in death

By BriAnne Dopart : The Herald-Sun
bdopart@heraldsun.com (bdopart@heraldsun.com)
Apr 26, 2006 : 12:01 am ET

DURHAM -- A year after 25-year-old Janet Abaroa's husband reported finding her stabbed to death in the couple's home, family members wait in anguish for answers about her murder.

"Somebody out there has to know something. There's a murderer walking around that killed a pregnant woman and somebody has to know," said Dena Kendall, Abaroa's sister who lives in northern Virginia.

Although police have not released any updates on the case, Durham police spokeswoman Kammie Michael described the investigation as "still very active" and said that investigators are following several leads. She did not elaborate.

However, Michael said, investigators are still looking for a laptop computer that was missing from the home.

Police seized correspondence from both Raven and Janet Abaroa's e-mail accounts from before and after the homicide. Police also confiscated the clothing Raven Abaroa wore the night of the murder.

Raven Abaroa has not been named as a suspect in his wife's murder.

Kendall, who declined to say who she thought murdered her sister, said family members are frustrated by the lack of progress in the investigation.

"It's been slow. I know they're working on it, but it's been a year and nobody's named a suspect," Kendall said.

While acknowledging that she and her family are grateful to Durham police homicide investigators for their work on the case, the family has questions they long to have answered, Kendall said.

"Where did the murder weapon go? It wasn't there when the police got there," she said.

"There would have been blood [on the clothing of the murderer]. Where is that?" she asked.

Raven Abaroa told police he found his wife's body in an upstairs bedroom of their blue, two-story house at 2606 Ferrand Drive at about 11 p.m. on April 26, 2005. Abaroa had been home caring for the couple's 6-month-old son, Kaiden, while Raven Abaroa was at a soccer game, police reported last year.

The first officer to arrive at the house found Abaroa with a knife wound to the chest, lying on her back in a pool of blood. On the walls of the bedroom and near the side entrance of the house, investigators discovered bloodstains. Police did not say if there were signs of forced entry into the home but said that it was not a random act.

An autopsy later revealed that a knife wound to the neck likely killed Abaroa, who was in the early stages of pregnancy.

Both of the Abaroas worked at Sport Endeavors, a sports equipment company in Hillsborough. They were fired when Raven Abaroa was accused of embezzling more than $9,000 from the company.

He pleaded guilty to the charges in August 2005 and was sentenced to supervised probation. He was permitted to move his probation to Utah, where he is caring for Kaiden.

Regardless of the investigation, Kendall and her sister-in-law, Connie Christiansen, said that this week is about remembering Janet.

A vigil for Abaroa will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Durham Marriott Civic Center in conjunction with National Crime Victims' Rights Week, according to family spokesperson Cheryl Cheek.

Christiansen remembers her sister-in-law as funny, quiet, and careful with words. More than anything, Christiansen said, she remembers her sister-in-law as a private person who treasured her family.

"What I remember most was the way she adored her nephews and nieces," Christiansen said. "One year she was in college ... my oldest [child] had just been born, and she made a special trip just to see him. It was so important for her to see him and hold him and love him."

Kendall said she hoped that the anniversary of her sister's death and the vigil help jog people's memories about the night of the murder.

"Maybe this year," she said wishfully, "somebody will say 'Oh, I didn't realize that case was still open.' "

Police ask anyone with information about Abaroa's murder to call the Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division at 560-4440 or CrimeStoppers at 683-1200. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to an arrest in felony cases and callers never have to identify themselves.

terminatrixator

04-26-2006, 07:13 AM

Janet was not fired from Eurosports, she quit because she was embarrassed because of the embezzlement by her husband is my understanding.

juliagoulia

04-26-2006, 02:30 PM

Another one:

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=triangle&id=4117485

Abaroa Murder Still Unsolved

http://a.abclocal.go.com/graphics/v3/global/stockgraphics/icons/wtvd_byline.gif Eyewitness News

(04/26/06 - DURHAM) - One year has passed and no arrests have been made in the murder of a pregnant Durham mother.

Janet Abaroa was found stabbed to death inside her Ferrand Drive home a year ago today.

Her husband, Raven, found her body when he returned home from a soccer game. The couple's 6-month-old son was in the home during the murder. He wasn't hurt.

Abaroa was pregnant with the couple's second child. A vigil for Janet Abaroa will be held on Saturday night at the Durham Marriott Civic Center.

terminatrixator

04-27-2006, 12:44 AM

http://rdu.news14.com/content/your_news/durhamchapel_hill/?ArID=83687&SecID=42

Wednesday marks 1 year anniversary of woman's death
4/26/2006 8:44 AM
By: News 14 Carolina Staff

Janet Abaroa http://rdu.news14.com/images/750.gif (DURHAM) -- It's been a year since a Durham woman was found stabbed to death in her home and still no arrests have been made.

Police say Janet Abaroa's husband found her stabbed to death in their west Durham home in April of last year. The medical examiners office says the 25-year-old mother had been stabbed in the neck and chest.

WATCH THE VIDEO http://rdu.news14.com/content/your_news/durhamchapel_hill/?ArID=83687&SecID=42

Wednesday marks 1 year anniversary of woman's death

Police say Janet Abaroa's husband found her stabbed to death in their west Durham home in April of last year.

An autopsy report shows she was pregnant at the time.

Durham police say the investigation is still very active.

A vigil for Abaroa is Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Durham Marriott Civic Center in conjunction with National Crime Victims' Rights Week.

(http://rdu.news14.com/images/sidebar_right_top.gif)

terminatrixator

04-29-2006, 12:45 AM

http://www.wral.com/news/9084288/detail.html

One Year After Homicide, Durham Woman's Family Looks For Answers

POSTED: 11:14 pm EDT April 28, 2006
UPDATED: 11:18 pm EDT April 28, 2006
DURHAM, N.C. -- It's been one year since 25-year-old Janet Abaroa was stabbed and killed in her Durham home, but her killer is still on the loose. After a tough year without her, her family is honoring her memory.Durham police say the case was not random, but they still haven’t identified a suspect. Abaroa was killed with her 6-month-old child in the house. There was no sign of forced entry.One year later, Abaroa's family is desperate for answers."We don't feel like we are any closer to an end than a year ago," says Abaroa's sister, Dana Kendall.Abaroa never made it to her first Mothers Day, or her son's first birthday. Her family didn't know it when she died, but an autopsy revealed she was pregnant again."They knew this would be hard on me, so they didn't tell me for quite a while," says Janet Christiansen, Abaroa's mother. <li>
On The Web: Tears For Janet (http://www.tearsforjanet.com/) Along with sadness, many family members feel frustration too, but not at police."We know they are doing all they can," says Abaroa’s sister-in-law Connie Christiansen.They feel helpless in knowing their loved one didn't have to die."It was a deliberate act of someone taking her life, and it didn't have to be," says Kendall.The investigation has revealed Abaroa and her husband were having money problems. Raven Abaroa pleaded guilty to embezzling from his workplace. He now lives in Utah with the couple's child.Abaroa's sisters say they don't speak to him often. Her mother wishes she could just speak to her daughter again."I can't call her on the phone,” said Janet Christiansen. “I had her message and someone inadvertently deleted it. I was mad and furious for a week. I wanted to hear her voice."Now, her family and friends are her voice. On Saturday night, they'll light candles to remember her.The candlelight vigil will be held in Janet Abaroa's honor Saturday at 7p.m. at the Civic Center Plaza on Foster Street in Durham. Candles will also be lit in several states at the same time.Reporter: Melissa Buscher (mbuscher@wral.com)
Photographer: Ed Wilson (ewilson@wral.com)
Online Editor: Dana Franks (dfranks@wral.com)

juliagoulia

05-10-2006, 10:06 PM

Here is Janet's story on Nancy Grace.

http://video.tinypic.com/player.php?v=xomvf5

JerseyGirl

05-15-2006, 01:54 PM

abc11tv.com: Vigil to Remember Abaroa (http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=local&id=4129847)

More than 100 people attended a candlelight vigil to honor a Durham woman found murdered in her home one year ago.

Janet Abaroa died inside her Ferrand Drive home last April. Police still have not found her killer. Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong said the case is still on.

"I wish that I could give you more, but by my presence here, I commit to you that we will do everything we can to bring her killer to justice," he told the crowd at the vigil.

Police do not believe the crime was random, but no arrests have been made. Durham police would like to hear from anyone with information about the case.

juliagoulia

09-28-2006, 02:47 AM

http://www.heraldsun.com/durham/4-773718.htmlBy BriAnne Dopart : The Herald-Sun
bdopart@heraldsun.com (bdopart@heraldsun.com)
Sep 27, 2006 : 10:54 pm ET

DURHAM -- After exhausting all leads in the murder case of Janet Abaroa, Durham police homicide investigators are turning to a famed psychic for help.

Lead homicide investigator Jack Cates confirmed Wednesday that investigator S.W. Vaughan has begun using a psychic to assist in developing leads in the 17-month-old probe into the stabbing death of the 25-year-old wife and mother.

Raven Abaroa reported discovering his wife's body in the couple's Ferrand Drive home on April 26, 2005. The murder weapon was never recovered, and while police would not say if there were signs of forced entry into the home, they said they believed the murder "was not a random act."

Cates would not confirm the identity of the psychic, but a source with knowledge of the case told The Herald-Sun that high-profile psychic Laurie McQuary of Lake Oswego, Ore.-based Management by Intuition, had stepped in to help develop leads.

The Herald-Sun was unable to reach McQuary for comment Wednesday.

McQuary, who has appeared on the Court TV show "Psychic Detectives" and been featured on CNN's "Larry King Live," has worked with law enforcement since 1985, according to her Web site. She has aided in investigations ranging from missing persons to homicides. She is married to a former Oregon homicide detective whom she met while working on a case.

That story is the subject of a book and a documentary that has aired on the Lifetime cable channel.

Janet Abaroa's sister, Dena Kendall, said the family has long been encouraging homicide investigators to use a psychic in hopes that investigators might uncover evidence that will lead to an arrest.

"We'll do anything we can to help solve the case," Kendall said. "We'll do whatever it takes."

Chief Steve Chalmers said he wasn't aware Vaughan had begun using the help of a psychic in the Abaroa murder investigation but said that it didn't surprise him.

He has encouraged all of his investigators to "get creative and think outside the box," he said.

"We're going to use every tool available to us to substantiate evidence," he added. "There are people who believe in it and people who don't. But we have a responsibility to gather any evidence we can. It's our responsibility to seek out those individuals who can help us regardless of any cynicism."

The Herald-Sun could not confirm if McQuary was being paid by anyone for her services. The city's Finance Department reported that no checks had been issued to anyone by her name.

Although instances are few and far between, the Abaroa case is not the first time Durham law enforcement has been assisted by a psychic, according to Capt. Paul Martin of the Sheriff's Office.

Martin, a former captain with the Durham Police Department, recalled Sheriff's Office investigators using the assistance of psychic Dorothy Allison in the search for the body of 13-year-old Darlene Tilley in the fall of 1980.

"It's something that has been done around the country for a while now ... the success rate I don't know," Martin said.

"I would do anything to clear a difficult case," he added.

Durham resident Gerald Endress said he wasn't surprised to learn that police had enlisted McQuary's assistance, especially since the idea of involving psychics in investigations has been so popularized on television. If all other leads have been exhausted, Endress said, using a psychic might be a good idea.

Resident Kathy Fitts agreed, but said she hoped tax dollars aren't being used to foot the bill.

"You expect your tax dollars to be going to city improvements ... not toward things you would hope the police department would be able to do on their own," she said.

juliagoulia

09-28-2006, 02:48 AM

http://www.nbc17.com/news/9949918/detail.html

DURHAM, N.C. -- NBC17 has learned that Durham police have made a new attempt to solve a cold murder case.

NBC17 has confirmed that a psychic was called in to help with the Janet Abaroa murder investigation.

In April 2005, the 25-year-old mother was found stabbed to death inside her Durham home. // Set DC ad position if(typeof dcadposition == 'undefined')dcadposition = 1; else dcadposition++; if (typeof segQS == 'undefined')segQS=''; if (typeof adid == 'undefined')adid='false'; document.write(""); [/url] if ((!document.images && navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Mozilla/2.") >= 0) || navigator.userAgent.indexOf("WebTV")>= 0) { document.write("[url="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/ibs.tri.news/"]"); document.write("http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/ibs.tri.news/ (http://ad.doubleclick.net/click;h=v8/346e/0/0/%2a/x;51287447;0-0;0;12659394;4307-300/250;18509259/18527154/1;;~aopt=2/1/34/0;~sscs=%3fhttp://www.nbc17.com/sponsors/9934999/detail.html)"); } http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/ibs.tri.news/national;kw=news+square+9949918;ad=true;tile=1;pgt ype=detail;sz=300x250;ord=123456789? (http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/ibs.tri.news/national;kw=news+square+9949918;ad=true;tile=1;pgt ype=detail;sz=300x250;ord=123456789?)

Psychic Laurie McQuary is in the Triangle and is working on the case with investigators.

Police said there were no signs of a break-in at the crime scene, and they do not believe it was a random act.

Authorities have not charged anyone in connection with the case.

A reward is being offered for any information that leads to an arrest.

terminatrixator

09-28-2006, 12:06 PM

Police Use Psychic in Murder Investigation WTVD Eyewitness News

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=triangle&id=4607251

(09/28/06 - DURHAM) -
Durham Police are turning to a psychic to solve a 17-month-old murder investigation.

Wednesday's Herald Sun is reporting that police are getting help from psychic Laurie McQuary in the murder of Janet Abaroa. The 25-year-old wife and mother was found stabbed to death in her Durham home last year. Her family has apparently been urging police to seek the help of a psychic.

terminatrixator

09-29-2006, 09:59 AM

WRAL

Psychic Called In To Help Solve Durham Slaying

http://www.wral.com/news/9955305/detail.html

POSTED: 12:25 pm EDT September 28, 2006

DURHAM, N.C. -- Durham police asked a woman who claims she is a psychic to help try and solve the murder of a young, pregnant mother.

Janet Abaroa was found stabbed to death in her home more than a year ago. Abaroa's husband, Raven, told police he came home and found his wife's dead body.

The couple's 6-month-old son was found unharmed in a nearby room.

At the urging of Abaroa's family, police are consulting with Laurie McQuary. McQuary lives outside Portland, Ore.

SewingDeb

11-09-2006, 01:42 AM

http://www.wral.com/news/10275825/detail.html

Police Follow New Lead In Durham Woman's 2005 Slaying

"We did just get a lead on the case that involves computers," said Cpl. Sheldon Perkins of the Durham Police Department, who declined to be more specific.

Shortly after the slaying, investigators seized the couple's e-mail accounts and sifted through correspondence before and after the murder.

Also, a laptop computer was listed in court documents as missing from the home.

Investigators said much of their work in the past year has involved tying outside information to clues found at the scene.

"We got a lot of forensic evidence on the scene," Perkins said. "But sometimes it's just as important the evidence you don't find."

and

"We have some people we're looking at, and we do have a person of interest," he said. "I feel it's a very good case."

terminatrixator

11-13-2006, 01:20 AM

Of Janet Abaroa and Michelle Young, and Murder…

http://crimeblog.us/?p=208

(UNRELATED NOTE: Please check out this entry (http://unsolvedblog.com/archives/19) at www.unsolvedblog.com (http://unsolvedblog.com/), about missing Maine teen Coreen Wiese. Good news on 11/12/06; Coreen Wiese may have been found alive.)

Over a year ago in Durham, North Carolina, a pregnant young mother was murdered in her home. And while the murder of Janet Abaroa (http://huffcrimeblog.com/?cat=16) remains unsolved, I don’t think I’d call it a high-profile crime. A mention here and there on cable news, regular updates on the lack of progress in the case in the local Durham media… and some very dedicated people discussing the case online (forumdisplay.php?f=76).

Yet Janet’s case seems, sadly, to fade a little each day. This report (http://www.wral.com/news/10275825/detail.html) by WRAL TV out of Raleigh published earlier tonight is encouraging, but it is the first article of its kind in quite some time. Hopefully it means I’ll have reason to do a full update on Janet’s case soon.

Why one murder in a region is seized upon by certain national media outlets (http://www.gretawire.com/) (link goes to one example of many of a high-profile cable news show that covers such crimes) and another is not will always remain, to some degree, a mystery to me (note to readers: please don’t try and explain it in the comments below. I know the usual reasons. That doesn’t mean it makes sense).

Janet was already a mother to a baby boy, who was asleep in a room nearby when she was murdered. She was pregnant when she was murdered. Janet’s good-looking, athletic husband Raven Abaroa was out of the house when she was murdered, allegedly, therefore seemed to have an alibi.

But Raven, as you will see if you read the archived entries from my past blogging (http://huffcrimeblog.com/?cat=16) about this crime, has never sat well with people wondering what happened to his wife. Perhaps he’s been guilty of just not being particularly likeable. Of being obviously narcissistic and materialistic, therefore reminding people who talk crime online and off of other husbands whose wives met similar fates, like Scott Peterson (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22Scott+Peterson%22&btnG=Google+Search).

Or, worst-case scenario, Raven killed his wife and is getting away with murder right now, partying out in Utah, where he was originally from. And he has custody of his and Janet’s son.

In Raleigh, North Carolina, a case with very similar outlines is starting to play out in the news.

A pregnant mother was murdered, her toddler daughter in the house. The 29-year-old woman’s husband was out of town, across the state in Brevard, NC, where he is originally from.

This murdered young mother was found by her younger sister.

I’m writing about Michelle Marie Fisher Young (http://brownwynne.mem.com/display/biography.asp?ID=1581967), who was found in her home near Lake Wheeler (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Birchleaf+Drive,+Raleigh,+NC&ie=UTF8&z=15&ll=35.701777,-78.692665&spn=0.014846,0.043259&om=1&iwloc=addr) in Wake County, NC.

Michelle’s battered body was discovered on Friday, November 3rd (http://rdu.news14.com/content/headlines/?ArID=93832&SecID=2).

Tonight, on Greta van Susteren’s On the Record (http://www.foxnews.com/ontherecord/), the 911 tape of the call made when Michelle was found was played. It was heartbreaking, and chilling.

Michelle’s sister Meredith Fisher (http://www.myspace.com/mixie1018) could be heard on the tape, sounding tense but not hysterical. The operator was instructing Meredith in a firm voice, ensuring little Cassidy, Michelle’s two-year-old daughter, was safe. Then the operator instructed Meredith to check on Michelle, turn her over, see if she was breathing.

Something seemed to crumble inside the young woman’s voice, then. To hear it, click this link (http://www.newsobserver.com/content/multimedia/flash_audio/20061106_young.mp3). The mp3 of the call is hosted by the News-Observer.

There was blood everywhere in the Young household, footprints where Cassidy had padded through it, alone with her dead mother for perhaps half a day.

In the murder of Janet Abaroa, Raven has never been named outright by the police as a suspect.

Yet Jason Young, age 32, is apparently a suspect in his wife’s murder. The article found here (http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/507879.html) was published just 5 days after Michelle was murdered. From the News-Observer:

Jason Young told investigators he was in Brevard in the western part of the state visiting family when her body was found.

Young, 32, is named as a suspect on the order, however, he was not required to make a statement, nor was he subject to interrogation, according to Willoughby. Detectives had already seized his car as part of their investigation.

Young has not been charged with anything. A call to his attorney for comment was not returned Wednesday afternoon.

(…)

“[Jason Young] complied with the order and went to the City-County Bureau of Identification,” said Phyllis Stephens, the sheriff’s office spokeswoman. CCBI, located in the same building as the sheriff’s office, conducts crime scene investigation and processes fingerprints and blood samples for various law enforcement agencies in the county…

Murders are as individual as people. So I know that though the surface elements of Janet Abaroa’s and Michelle Young’s murders are similar, the details are likely very, very different.

Knowing that, I still read of Jason Young already being the subject of serious suspicion in his wife’s murder and I wonder what was different in Janet Abaroa’s murder in Durham in April, 2005. Since I have pretty decent knowledge of that investigation, I have some idea — for one thing, information like fingerprints and dna were apparently not that helpful in establishing whether or not someone had been in the Abaroa home who didn’t need to be there.

I will be keeping track of developments in both cases. Hopefully the investigation into Janet Abaroa’s murder may begin to catch up with the seemingly swift progress in determining who may have murdered Michelle Young. Any tips are welcome, and you can remain anonymous, your information completely confidential. I’ve inserted a contact form below to make it easy. Please be sure you intend to send an e-mail, and do not confuse the contact form with the comment field. Removed the contact form. Go here (http://crimeblog.us/?page_id=6), instead.

NCBanker

02-13-2007, 04:40 PM

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1198742/

Bobbisangel

02-27-2007, 04:06 PM

Was it ever proven that Raven was actually at the game the whole time? I wonder if the clothes that he gave LE are actually the clothess that he wore to the soccer game. Was the game close enough to his town that he could have left the game and then went back without anyone paying any attention?

If Raven murdered Janet he would have had to have blood on his clothing. Could he have murdered her....showered and changed his clothes...before he called LE? I would think that they have only his word about what time he got home.

Glad the FBI is involved in this case. Hope between the FBI and local LE they can figure out who did this and arrest them.

caffeinatd

04-26-2007, 08:07 PM

TV article about Janet's murder

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=triangle&id=5248869

terminatrixator

04-27-2007, 12:42 AM

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1361133/

April 26, 2007

Durham Police Keep Husband on Suspect List in Slaying

http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/news/local/2007/04/26/1361259/1177643101_abaroa-220x165.jpg
Posted: 28 minutes ago
Durham — For the first time, Durham police are saying that Janet Abaroa's husband, Raven Abaroa, has not been eliminated as a suspect in her slaying two years ago.

And even though the killing on April 26, 2005, is otherwise considered a cold case, detectives say it's still very active.

“It's a very active open investigation. We are pursuing things. Our investigators are still spending hours and hours on it, and we're working with the FBI in Utah on it,” said Durham police spokeswoman Kammie Michael.

Janet Abaroa, 25, was stabbed to death in her Durham home. Raven Abaroa told police he found her in an upstairs bedroom. Their 6-month-old son, Caiden, was unharmed nearby.

Detectives have said they've continued to follow leads in the case, but this is the first time, they admit they have not ruled out Raven Abaroa as a suspect.

Since the killing, he and Caiden have moved to Utah.

Janet Abaroa’s family says the wait has been almost unbearable.

“It's up and down. Some days are good and some days are not good. Some days are very bad,” said Dana Kendall, Janet Abaroa’s sister.

WRAL spoke with Kendall by phone, and she said the past two years have been frustrating.

“Although two years passed and you try to move on and move on with your life, it's hard to do it when nothing's been reconciled,” Kendall said.

Durham police maintain there will be closure eventually, and there will be an arrest.

Reporter: Erin Coleman (http://www.wral.com/rs/bio/1013249/)
Photographer: Greg Clark (http://www.wral.com/apps/feedback/feedback/?d_id_person=8)
Web Editor: Ron Gallagher (http://www.wral.com/apps/feedback/feedback/?d_id_person=196)

terminatrixator

04-28-2007, 11:48 AM

Vigil, March Held to Call for End to Violent Crimes

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1364721/

http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/news/local/2007/04/27/1364722/1177731361_durham-220x165.jpg
Posted: Apr. 27 11:51 p.m.

Durham — Friends, relatives and strangers gathered Friday night to remember people whose lives were lost to violence and to call for change.
Nearly 100 people showed up for a vigil and a march against crime sponsored by the Durham Police Department. Most of the marchers had the same message: End violence, especially gang violence, in Durham now.
"My sister-in-law, Janet Abaroa, was murdered two years ago here in Durham. We just felt it was important to support this walk against crime," Connie Christiansen said. "It helped to be able to feel like you're supporting others and try not to focus too much on what you're going through."
Abaroa, a 25-year-old mother, was stabbed to death in her Durham home two years ago Thursday. The case remains unsolved.

Twelve-year-old Jamal Lowery's mother was murdered in January 1996, and he still can't describe what life is like without her.

"I don't know. Many of you may be thinking, 'How don't you?' Well, I just don't," Jamal told those in attendance.

Many students from North Carolina Central University took part to show support for fallen classmates near and far.

"I just came out to show my love and support for Virginia Tech victims," student Jevon Rogers said.

"It's always a good time to show support for people that have been victims of violence, and violence that happened on our campus, Ms. Denita Smith, as well," student Tafari Higgins said.

Smith, an N.C. Central graduate student from Charlotte, was fatally shot outside her apartment in January. A Greensboro woman who police say was obsessed with Smith's fiance has been charged with murder in the case.
"When you see the suffering like we've seen this evening, you can't go back tomorrow to business as usual. We're going to have to really come together as a community ... to bring about change," Durham Police Chief Steve Chalmers said.

The police department also will host a Saturday banquet for crime victims.

Reporter: Dan Bowens (http://www.wral.com/rs/bio/1012030/)
Photographer: Tom Normanly (http://www.wral.com/apps/feedback/feedback/?d_id_person=20)
Web Editor: Matthew Burns (http://www.wral.com/apps/feedback/feedback/?d_id_person=195)

terminatrixator

05-02-2007, 12:30 AM

http://crimene.ws/

Durham Police Keep Husband on Suspect List in Slaying (http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1361133/)

(via www.wral.com)

Durham police are saying that Janet Abaroa's husband, Raven Abaroa, has not been eliminated as a suspect in her slaying two years ago.

terminatrixator

05-04-2007, 01:04 PM

Still no arrest in Michelle Young murder

http://news14.com/content/top_stories/582047/still-no-arrest-in-michelle-young-murder/Default.aspx

05/03/2007 08:50 PM

By: Ann Forte

RALEIGH -- Work men were installing new carpet inside 5108 Birchleaf Dr., Thursday afternoon. The workers say no one is living there right now, six months after Michelle Young was found beaten to death inside.
Her killer has not been caught.

"We'd like to solve it, of course, quickly, but it's such a complex case, we have to make sure we get our information correct," explained Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison.

A pregnant 29-year-old Young was found dead inside her home on Nov. 3, 2006. Her two-year-old daughter, Cassidy, was also found in the home, unhurt. Young’s family pleaded for help in solving the case.

In November, Linda Fisher, Michelle’s mother, told reporters, "I'm asking for anyone who has seen or heard anything -- as trivial as you might think it is, anything -- to please come forward and help find the person who murdered my daughter."

Attention has centered on Young’s husband, Jason Young. Previously released court documents show the couple was having financial problems before Michelle died, and Jason Young stood to benefit financially from his wife's death.

Open case

It has been exactly six months since Michelle Young was beaten to death inside her Wake County home.

Harrison said his investigators have interviewed more than 100 people in connection with the case, but they are still waiting on at least one interview. They are still waiting to talk to Jason Young.

"Well, he just will not talk to us,” Harrison explained. “We'd try to go through his attorney, and also contact him, and he has failed to come in or failed to meet us anytime that we've asked."

Police have already taken fingerprints, footprints, and a blood sample from Jason Young. He was out of town when Michelle's body was found. Investigators are not calling him a suspect, but they are not ruling anyone out either.

A similar case in Durham is still unsolved. It has been two years, and police still do not know who murdered a pregnant mother in Durham. Janet Abaroa was found dead in her home in April 2005.

BirdHunter

05-10-2007, 07:52 AM

MySpace Crusader

http://a.abclocal.go.com/graphics/v3/global/stockgraphics/icons/wtvd_byline.gif By Rebecca Hall

(05/09/07 -- RALEIGH) - The page is not a typical MySpace page.
Also on abc11tv.com:
Send Us Your Tips (http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=stationinfo&id=3905523) | Real-time Traffic (http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/index?section=traffic&id=3272677) | AccuWeather Forecast (http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/index?section=weather&id=4124887) "It was coming up on the second anniversary of my brother-in-law's murder," said Renne Abde.

The pictures are not from a party or vacation like on other pages. The people on the page were all murdered.

"His case is still unsolved in Clearwater, Florida," said Abde.

Her page is solely dedicated to unsolved homicides. She started it about a year ago.

"I was angry, really is why I started it," Abde said.

Angry that her brother-in-law's murderer had still not been caught after two years.

"I couldn't handle it anymore, I need to not only say I'm upset this happened, but I needed to find other people who wanted answers too," Abde said. "I thought there's no better way to get the information out there than to use MySpace."

So she decided to use the community web page for the good of helping others, posting pictures of murder victims along with their stories.

"Some are nationally well known, like the Jon Benet Ramsey case," Abde explained.

Others like the Michelle Young and the Janet Abaroa case happened in the Triangle. Both remain unsolved.

Abde said people across the country took note.

"It started right away," she said. "Within the first day, I had 21 friends."

Now she has nearly 700 friends and 4,000 have visited the site.

Kim Duffy is one of those friends. Her 19-year-old pregnant daughter, Angie, was murdered seven years ago in Hammond, Indiana along with Angie's 2-year-old daughter.

"She was about to give birth to her baby and somebody came into her house and killed her," Duffy said. "And then lit her house on fire to cover up their crime."

It is just one of many unsolved cases highlighted on Abde's Web page. She said she researches a case in depth before putting it on her site.

No case breaking leads have turned up just yet, but she believes that will take time and awareness -- something she's trying to patiently provide.

"Somebody knows something somewhere," Abde said. "You never give up. You gotta keep doing it. You gotta keep trying to find out, heal from it. If you can't, it's going to tear you up."
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http://a.abclocal.go.com/graphics/v3/wtvd/wtvd_120.RebeccaHall.jpg ABC11 News Team
Rebecca Hall, Reporter (http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=bios&id=5113303)
RELATED: Rebecca's BIO (http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=bios&id=5113303)

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